Is this a new dawn for APGA in Anambra State?

Governor Peter Obi and Chief Victor Umeh
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Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance on Monday in Awka, embraced each other to signify an end to the long-drawn crisis in APGA.

Obi and Umeh, who spoke in the presence of members of the state executive council after several hours of meeting, said they had finally resolved the differences between them.

While Obi said the resolution would further strengthen the party, Umeh described the resolution as dramatic.

Umeh and Obi said they would subsequently meet to harmonise the issues that led to the crisis.

“With this reconciliation, we are going to contest all the elections and win,” Obi said.

Umeh thanked the religious and traditional rulers as well as other leaders of the party and commissioners, who worked to resolve the crisis.

Umeh said, “The only people, who had followed events in our party will be surprised at this dramatic end.

“His Excellency has been unhappy, I have been unhappy. But today, I can tell you that this is a new dawn for the government and our party.”

OBI SAYS ANAMBRA TO STRENGHTEN RELATIONSHIP WITH WORLD BANK

OBI SAYS ANAMBRA TO STRENGHTEN RELATIONSHIP WITH WORLD BANK, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

Governor Peter Obi says that Anambra State under his leadership will do everything possible to promote the positive attributes of the state at all times, including enhancing its relationship with the World Bank and other international organizations. He stated this today after the state signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Bank on erosion control and improving education in the state.

Shortly before the signing ceremony, officials from the World Bank led by its Country Director, Marie Francoise Nelly and officials of Anambra State led by Governor Peter Obi evaluated the activities of the World Bank in the state and expressed satisfaction with them.

At the ceremony which took place at office of the Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo – Iweala, Governor Obi said he was aware the support Anambra enjoyed from international organizations was the result of their approval of the new order in the state revolving around allowing assistance meant for the people of the state get down to them. Obi expressed the hope that God will give the state somebody better than himself that will take it to greater heights. The Governor signed for the state while the Finance Minister, whose office midwifed the pact signed for the federal government.

After the endorsements, the state Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Professor Chinyere Okunna expressed satisfaction. Lamenting the menace of erosion in the state, Professor Okunna said Anambra has over 1000 active erosion sites on which the state government had committed billions of naira trying to control. She welcomed the intervention of the World Bank, insisting that the scope of work needed to be done was far beyond the capacity of the state government.

On the memorandum of understanding for support to education in the state, Okunna said it was as a result of the revolution in that sector which the World Bank commissioned Professor Paul Collier and others to study whereupon they recommended adaptation of what Governor Obi was doing by other states and parts of the world facing education crisis.

Yobe Governor Shuns Minister Over Al-Mustapha

Yobe State Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, Tuesday, refused to grant audience to the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama,  following the  minister’s rally with the recently released Major Hamza Al-Mustapha in Nguru last week.

The minister was in Damaturu to give the state government 222 trailer loads of grains and N150 million being the Federal Government’s assistance to Yobe as one of the three states affected by emergency rule.

But the governor, who was at the Government House but refused to see the minister, was, according to an aide who does not want his name in print, annoyed that the minister drove in the same car with Al-Mustapha to the Nguru rally despite the emergecy rule in the state.

All efforts to speak to the governor’s media aide was futile as our reporter’s calls were unanswered. A text message sent to the aide  was not also acknowledged by the time of going to press.

Meanwhile, the federal government’s ‘largesse’ was a source of controversy as the state deputy governor, Engr Danlami Ali, who hosted the minister, claimed he was mystified over claims by the minister that he “personally sourced N200 million from individuals and organisations to transport the grains to Damaturu.”

Engr Ali said that he was “baffled”, and hinted that the federal government’s business must be some sort of “mixed grill” if individuals could “donate to transport a federal government assistance” or that it should be “shared by NGOs” as hinted by the minister.

Imminent Showdown Between Major Al-Mustapha And General Abdulsalam

Major Al Mustapha and General Abubakar Abdusalam

Credible sources have told SaharaReporters of an imminent showdown between Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to late Nigerian dictator, General Sani Abacha, and Abacha’s successor, General Abdulsalam Abubakar.

One of the sources said that the former Head of State is jittery of possible revelations that may come from Al-Mustapha, who enjoys the sympathy of Abacha’s family and of several other prominent Northerners who blame both Abdulsalam and General Ibrahim Babangida for the North’s present political misfortune and for the 1998 decision to support the candidature of the then imprisoned General Olusegun Obasanjo.

Al-Mustapha, one of the sources said, is also accusing Abdulsalam of betraying and setting him up in his 15 years of travails behind bars.

“The case of the former CSO was orchestrated by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, and there are several sensitive properties and documents of Major Al-Mustapha that he confiscated and seized. All these factors are gradually brewing to a major showdown,” he declared.

He added that Al-Mustapha will make his position clear on his estranged relationship with Gen. Abdulsalam as soon as he is through with all the formalities that will decide his case concerning his formal discharge from the Nigerian Army. Other concerns include the petition by the family of Chief Kudirat Abiola against the judgment that set him free.

It has also been gathered that there are pressures on Al-Mustapha by other interests not to make a formal reply to his allegations against Abdulsalam.  Among them, SaharaReporters as learnt that the emirs and religious leaders to whom Al-Mustapha has paid homage since his release have pleaded with him to forgive, and not fight back.

It will be recalled that during the Justice Oputa Commission, Al-Mustapha serially accused Abdulsalam of culpability in the death of Chief MKO Abiola, as well as a romantic affair with the youngest wife of late Gen. I.D. Gumel whom he said had supported the quick release of Chief Abiola.

28 Soldiers Arrested In Lagos

The Military Police on Thursday said it arrested 28 wandering soldiers in the streets of Lagos.

Maj. Oyegoke Badamosi, spokesman for the 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja Cantonment, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)in Lagos.

Badamosi said the soldiers were arrested by the military police attached to “Operation Checkmate”,  to curb misconduct and unauthorised movement of personnel in the city.

He added that the operation was aimed at checkmating soldiers who go about without staying at their duty posts.

He, however, said those arrested had been released after confirmation from their offices that they were genuine personnel.

Badamosi said that the operation would be a daily routine and would be extended to other parts of the state to enable the military authority to continue to enforce armed forces rules on erring personnel.

An eye-witness, who simply gave his name as Moses, told NAN that the soldiers were arrested around Onipanu and Palm Grove areas of Lagos.

According to him, “military police arrested soldiers on Ikorodu Expressway.”

Another eye-witness, Ms Victoria Joseph, said motorists and pedestrians panicked during the arrest.

30 seriously Injured as Catholic Community Clash

The ongoing crisis between the Catholic faithful and a section of Awka community over the observance of Christian burial rights in the area took another dimension on Wednesday night, when the two bodies clashed openly in the heart of the Anambra State capital,Awka, leaving at least 30 persons wounded.

 Among those injured were Mrs. Juliana Okeke, Mr. Ogah Moses, Mr. Christian Anichebe, Mr. Obuekwe Obukwelu, Mr. Onwa Patrick, who are receiving treatment at Regina Caeli Hospital in Awka. Speaking from their hospital beds, they said it was only God that rescued them from the hands of the youths while returning from a burial.

 The latest incident was triggered off during the burial ceremony of an 85-year old man, Mr. Samuel Nwana Nebolisa at Umudioka in Awka.

 The bone of contention between the church and some people in Umudioka community was the dust-to-dust ceremony usually performed during the burial of Catholics, which a section of the community had objected to over the years and often led to confrontation during burial ceremonies in the Community.

 Since the demise of the late Pa Nebolisa in April this year, there had been arguments between the church and the community following the insistence of the church that the dust-to-dust ceremony must be performed by the wife of the deceased because he was a Catholic, but some of his kinsmen objected to it on the ground that it was against their tradition.

 First son of the deceased, Mr. Ikechukwu Nebolisa said his late father had willed that his wife should perform the dust-to-dust ceremony during his burial because members of the family were ardent Catholics and wondered why some people in the community should prevent her from doing so, especially when the constitution of the country allowed for freedom of worship.

Photos: Work in progress @Agulu Lake Resort

The clearing for the construction of bridges also in progress. Gov. Peter Obi is doing a great job at the lake.

Photos: Patience Jonathan returns home to mourn late mother

Nigeria's first lady Dame Patience Jonathan who lost her foster mother on Monday July 22nd in a fatal auto accident, cut short her trip to Geneva to return home to mourn. Patience Jonathan returned yesterday night and was received by her husband, the president's mother, Tony Anenih, Abdusalami Abubakar and many other dignitaries at the presidential villa in Abuja. 

found love again says Yvonne Nelson

It may be true...and it may not be. Yvonne likes to be on the blogs...and we indulge her! Hehe! If it's true and it's another naija celeb...will find out! :-)

"Why I am still single" Jude Okoye opens up in new interview

Jude 'Engees' Okoye is the elder brother, manager and director of Peter and Paul Okoye, popularly known as P-Square. Excerpts from his interview with Bayo Adetu of PM News

Peter and Paul already have kids; and we all know their heartthrobs. Can you tell us the one in your life?
Why are you people always forcing me to come to the public? I don’t want to be a celebrity and I am not one of them. I don’t sing, dance or act. I love where I am now (hiding myself) and if I love to do that, how do you expect me to introduce the lady I am dating? Back to your question, I have somebody, yes but I won’t tell you her name.

Who is your ideal woman?
The most important thing I look out for in a woman is understanding, aside physical beauty because everybody wants to look at the person beside him and be amazed and happy to have married a beautiful lady, not an ugly girl. Basically, your wife should understand you, especially when both male and female fans are swarming around you, wanting to take photographs with you and the rest. She must understand when you’re at work and office. That is my kind of woman.

Meaning that your lady has all these qualities?
Yes, she does. She’s beautiful and understanding.

So, when are you kicking bachelorhood?
When I will kick bachelorhood, I will call you and my fans to come and eat and drink. Already, I have purchased the bell, when it’s time, I will ring it.

Why is it taking so long, on a more serious note?
It’s taking so long because I am waiting for you people. Basically, why I am not yet married is that I don’t want to get married because I have all it takes to marry or because I am ripe. I want to get married and feel married so that I will be committed to my wife.
Although, I am not looking for a perfect person, but she must be a friend, partner, everything and someone that understands what I do.

Passengers rushing into Arik Air like Molue Bus

Passengers yesterday photographed rushing into Arik Air plane that just landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The passengers couldn't even wait for arriving passengers to disembark before jumping on the plane. This was due to shortage of flights to many parts of the country after Arik canceled several flights on Thursday.

Photos: At Azuh Amatus 'surprise' office birthday bash

 











Azuh Amatus with AGN President, Ibinabo Fiberesima

Azuh Amatus with staff of EE / SE 

Azuh Amatus with  Ibinabo

   Ibinabo

Azuh Amatus , Ibinabo, and EE / SE staff